Gazing at “Metamorphosis”, do you see a transformation? A metamorphosis is the changing of a thing or person into a completely different one.
Richard La Londe created this fused glass mural. It is a metamorphosis. It reflects the experience of elementary school.
La Londe enjoys creating colorful fused glass murals. They cause chuckles, smiles, and thoughtful reflection. This Metamorphosis sculpture features fantastical animals. It shows planets and forces of nature. Movement is everywhere you look.
Richard La Londe is an American artist born in 1950. He creates elaborate glass murals. They are pictorial narratives full of symbolism and color. He is also known for his glass handkerchief vessels.
La Londe graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1972. He studied Geology. He then immediately started making art. La Londe is a pioneer in the fused glass movement. In the 1980s, he was one of the first artists to experiment with Bullseye Glass Company’s colored glass for fusing.
He has taught glass fusing at the Pilchuck Glass School. It is in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington. He has also taught around the United States and Canada. Today, La Londe lives on Whidbey Island. It is in Northern Puget Sound, Western Washington. His work has been exhibited and commissioned internationally.
La Londe describes his technique. He outlines the design on a clear piece of glass. He applies a thin line of powdered glass. The glass is suspended in a gum medium. Then he lays crushed colored glass into the outlined areas. This is similar to sand painting. It is fused in a kiln and cooled. It’s flipped over and fused a second time. This produces depth.
The basics of this fused glass technique date back to ancient Egypt. That was 3500 years ago.
“Metamorphosis” is a fused glass wall mural. It measures 3 ft 10 1/2 in x 26 ft. The artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection. This was in partnership with Tumwater School District.
You can find it at Black Lake Elementary School in Olympia. It’s in the main hallway near the music room entrance.